02/18/2023
The MFIN Conference is the largest Multifamily Investment Conference of the year and just happened in Las Vegas. In case you missed it and are curious about the Top 9 Takeaways . . .
1) Interest rates will continue to rise. As this happens, expect downward pressure on overall pricing.
2) There are lots of investors looking to buy, but mostly reluctant sellers. This trend is perpetuating a wide bid-ask spread. However, investors are expecting a strong second half of the year.
3) Rising costs are a concern for investors and owners. Operating expenses and increasing insurance prices were common pressure points. These expenses also apply to unit upgrade materials, including appliances, flooring, lighting, hardware, and plumbing.
4) Lenders are willing to put capital to work on the development side, and with a fresh allocation of funds in 2023, there are signs of a market thaw. Meanwhile, other groups are pushing to place preferred and mezzanine equity. They are looking at 13%-14% preferred equity returns filling the 75%-85% loan-to-cost tranche in the capital stack.
5) Rents have soared, and this is weighing on household formation. Landlords are seeing pushback from tenants on affordability, likely capping rental levels in the near term.
6) Capital still likes the growth markets of the Sun Belt, but core coastal markets will get more attention.
7) Investors are looking to acquire multifamily with a cap rate in the 5% range, and cap rates are higher than interest rates on underlying financing. This is unprecedented and likely will not last.
8) Projects under construction present appealing acquisition targets, as floating-rate debt is more expensive than at underwriting, and slower lease-up could result in distress sales.
9) Long-term demographics and longstanding undersupply of housing STILL have investors optimistic about the future of multifamily investment.